Florencia Peña sues Luzu TV and Nico Occhiato for 200 million pesos over fake‑news scandal

Actress Florencia Peña announced plans to file a lawsuit against streaming platform Luzu TV and its founder Nicolás Occhiato, seeking roughly 200 million pesos (about 150,000 USD) in damages. The claim, detailed by journalist Pablo Layús, demands fulfillment of her contract, a liquidation payment, and the percentage of advertising revenue (PNT) that was promised but not delivered after she was dismissed from the show “El Show del Verano” following a live broadcast in which she falsely announced the death of Jorge Messi, father of footballer Lionel Messi. Peña also seeks compensation for reputational harm, citing viral memes that used her image as an example of fake news. Her lawyer has indicated the amount could rise if the case proceeds to court. Peña’s son, Juan Otero, has downplayed the prospect of a legal battle, preferring an out‑of‑court settlement. Occhiato later responded on social media, denying rumors that his return to Argentina was linked to the dispute and confirming that Luzu’s World Cup coverage schedule remains unchanged. The controversy, which began on 18 June 2026, has dominated Argentine media coverage, with multiple outlets reporting the same contractual and financial details.